Local Notes: Mikayla McLoughlin receives 'Player of the Match' award following her five performance for Charlestown U16A girls.
Mikayla McLoughlin receiving the Player of the Match award following her five star performance for the Charlestown Sarsfields U16 girls team in their recent county final A victory over Hollymount.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €14,500 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, December 8, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 14, 16, 22, 35. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Sarah Tiernan, c/o Post Office and Angela Forkan. The winner of the bottle of whiskey kindly sponsored by Delaney’s Mace was Mary Costello. The latest jackpot increased to €14,600 and the draw was held on Sunday night, December 15.
The death took place in Perth, Australia recently of Dan Caffrey, formerly of Cloonmore, Carracastle, Co. Mayo. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Charlestown Foroige are excited to announce that following the success of Charlestown Third Year Foroige Christmas Party two years ago it’s back. It will take place on Sunday, December 22, from 5-7pm in the CBD Recreational Centre. The cost is just €5 per family and there is various activities planned for the evening such as face painting, Christmas jumper competition, games and much more.
They are also excited to reveal that Santa Claus and his Elf have been in touch with them from the North Pole and will make an appearance in their grotto on the evening in question. They hope to see you there for an event that`s sure to be one of the highlights of the Christmas season in the community of Charlestown.
Congratulations are extended to Deirdre Henry, The Fairgreens, Charlestown, daughter of John and Margaret Henry, Lowpark, Charlestown, on her recent engagement to Ronan Guerin, Swords, Co. Dublin.
The Curry GAA annual Tractor and Vintage Car Run takes place on St. Stephen’s Day, Thursday, December 26 at 1pm. Registration will be €20 per vehicle and takes place from 12 noon at the clubhouse. There will be a Monster Auction later in the evening in the Yeats County Inn, doors open at 8pm. Items up for auction will be posted on the Curry GAA social media pages, so please keep an eye out for the same.
The death took place at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, recently of Rosena Conway, Sandyhill, Charlestown. Her remains were removed from Horkan’s Funeral Home, Lowpark, Charlestown, to St James’ Church, Charlestown, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to the Cemetery of the Resurrection. She is survived by her husband Hugh, sons Anthony, Oliver and Francis, daughter Karen, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren, brothers, sisters and extended family.
The late Rosena was a well known and much respected member of the community who lived a full and active life. She was a very much embedded in the area and took a full and active part in many clubs and societies in the town and was never one to shy away from commitment or involvement at any level. She served as secretary of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club in the mid 1990’s and was a model of efficiency and organisation and gave the club great service during her tenure in the role. She also held the position of secretary of the CBD Sports Complex and invested a lot of time and energy in the position and executed her duties with great integrity and decorum ensuring she always put the centre first in all her dealings and interactions.
She was a proud Meath woman who loved her GAA and took great pride and joy out of the exploits of her sons Anthony, Oliver and Francis all of whom were front and centre of many of the Sarsfields best and most decorated triumphs with Oliver winning two county senior medals with the Sarsfields in 2001 and 2009, with Francis also a prominent member of the victorious county final winning team of 2001. Rosena followed the Sarsfields with a passion and enthusiasm that never wavered with her grandsons Ben and James and granddaughter Abby the latest from the Conway dynasty to graduate to the men’s and ladies senior teams which filled her with glee as she made sure she was in attendance for as many of their matches as possible offering steadfast and unwavering support.
Rosena had a real sense of place about her and forged many strong friendships in the community as she and her husband Hugh ran the Old Rovers Return Pub at the end of the town following their return from England in the late 1970s early 1980s. She was a terrific family woman who took great pride in their health and well-being at all times and loved the daily and regular interactions with them. She forged a good bond with her husband Hugh as together, they made sure the family’s needs were met and provided for at all times. The large crowds who attended the removal of her remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which he was held. Her death has caused widespread grief and sorrow in the community but she leaves a legacy of great memories which her family will cherish and cling dear to in these deep, dark hours and days and we tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
Congratulations are extended to Caroline McCann, daughter of Sean and Ann McCann Kilgarriff on her recent marriage to Enda Kelly, Tourlestrane, Co. Sligo, which took place at Bushfield Church. Caroline and Enda are wished every good wish for the future, health and happiness and many years of wedded bliss.
Michael Byrnes Memorial Cup will take place in its usual St Stephen’s Day slot as Fr O’Hara Park gears up for another clash between the over 30 and under-30 brigade with the game having a provisional 12 noon throw-in (to be confirmed in the coming days). There is always a great turnout for the game as people come from all over to support and honour the memory of a man who was an integral presence in the club until his tragic death in 1997 with his exploits in the green and white still fresh in the memories of all who played and soldiered with him from underage to senior as he was very much to the fore of many of our outstanding successes in the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s. His death robbed his family, friends and the club of a terrific man who left an indelible impression on all he interacted and came into contact with as he was a genuinely nice man with a real sense of kindness and decency about him.
The identity of the two teams has yet to be revealed for the St Stephen’s Day showdown suffice to say there will be plenty of heft and bulk involved as well as ripped and sculpted bodies as the two pumped up factions get ready to go to war in the nicest way possible of course. The ladies club may well be part of the undercard as this too, has yet to be finalised suffice to say Fr O’Hara Park will be play host to a good crowd as the game always has a charitable undertone with all involved always willing to dig deep and support the designated charity chosen to headline the event.
There’s sure to be some familiar names from the past donning the club colours once again as they look to rewind the clock but this doesn’t usually end well with head gaskets, fuel tanks and red lights coming on aplenty as the bodies seize up with many having to retire early due to muscular and abdominal injuries of one form or another. The over-30 brigade have held the whip hand over the last number of years and they are sure to be stacked with some stellar names from yesteryear who are fully intent on putting on a show as they seek to remind the younger cohort that the old adage Form is Temporary Class is Permanent continues to apply with the skills very much intact albeit the pace at which they do things has slowed considerably.
The under-30s have been putting in the hard yards on the training paddock in recent weeks as they look to wrestle the cup back after an absence of some years but they won’t have it easy as the over-30s continued to hold the whip hand in the dark arts. The ingredients are there for another classic St. Stephen’s Day encounter with plenty of sweat and endeavour sure to be on display as the club come together to celebrate the memory of a great gael.
Congratulations are extended to Ronan Kenny, son of Sean and Emmanuel Kenny, Hagfield, Charlestown, and Cailin Durkan, daughter of Paddy and Margaret Durkan, Lurga, Charlestown, on their recent engagement.
St Joseph’s Commnuity College, Charlestown, are holding their annual Christmas Wreath Workshop for parents on Tuesday (this afternoon), December 17 at 2pm. The cost for this workshop is €5 per person. Places are limited so book early. Text or email the schools HSCL Teresa Coleman to book Teresacoleman@msletb.ie or text 085 8453717.
There is a full range of fixtures for all the different age grades on the Cubs basketball Facebook page which gives a comprehensive list of matches, times and training schedules as well as regular updates on all matters pertaining to the club.
A Christmas Party takes place in Benson’s, Rooskey, for the communities of Rooskey and Doocastle on Friday evening, December 20. All are welcome and the organisers look forward to seeing you there.
Well done to Charlestown Sarsfields star attacked Paul Towey who was selected on the Mayo News Senior Club Team of the Year 2024. Paul was selected in the half forward line on the back of some excellent performances for the Sarsfields in the 2024 Moclair Cup. Paul accounted for a whopping 2-21 of the Sarsfields total tally of 6-33 in four championship games which is some scoring as he amassed over seventy percent of the Sarsfields scores which is an obvious indication of his prowess and accuracy in front of goals. He is a terrific player who empties the tank every time he dons the jersey and has been consistency personified for the Sarsfields since making his debut in the green and white colours in the 2018 senior championship. His ball winning ability, vision and eye for a score marks him down as special talent with the Sarsfields lucky to have a player of his calibre in their ranks. He will be hoping his scoring exploits will get more of a look in with Mayo as the 2025 inter county loams large on the horizon with his ability worthy of a sustained run in a team that’s crying out for a sniper like scoring opportunist in the full forward line. He’s also an extremely accurate free taker who is unerringly accurate and has the calmness and composure to slot the pressure kicks with his leveller against Castlebar Mitchels in the Sarsfields opening championship encounter a case in point as he kicked a brilliant free from the hands from the most acute of angles. His selection on the ‘Team of the Year’ is due recognition of his performances in the green and white over any number of years and there was a big crowd of family, friends and teammates in attendance to see him receive his award as he continues to lead the way for the Sarsfields and provide the attack with a genuine cutting edge and score getter supreme.
Christmas Mass Bouquet Cards are available at the moment. Monies from the sale of these cards provide great support in meeting the heating and electricity bills in all the churches of the parish and for this they are grateful and more importantly, one of the most beautiful gifts one can give, not just at Christmas but anytime, is the gift of Mass.
A superbly written book by well known journalist and book publisher Edwin McGreal is currently on sale in a number of shops throughout the county. The author Edwin takes us on a journey to every club in the county where he met up with and chatted to players, mentors and officers where they shared stories and memories of what they considered was their ‘Finest Hour’ on the playing fields which led to some wonderful reminiscing and recollections as each and every club in the county provided great detail on some their best and most memorable successes.
The section on Charlestown Sarsfields recalls the breakthrough and historic county final success of 2001 where Ed interviews some of the main characters involved with David Tiernan, John Casey, Podsie Horkan and Aidan Higgins plus yours truly remembering the many highlights and memories as we broke through the glass ceiling to capture our first county title in 99 years. Edwin covered the success brilliantly and brought terrific clarity and detail to the chapter which is a super read and one which continues to resonate with so many within and outside the community. The book is a must for your Christmas stocking and would be a truly fantastic present for anyone interested in club football and community in general as it is a social commentary as much as a football book which once again underlines the unbreakable bond between the GAA Club and community. It is available for sale in Delaney`s, Mace Lowpark, Charlestown and can also be sourced on www.mayobooks.ie.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday last, November 27, at 8pm, and the following were the prizewinners: 1st Michael and Patricia Brennan; 2nd James Mooney and Mary O`Connell; 3rd Carmel Moffitt and Hilary McCrohan; 4th Paddy and Patricia Colleran; 5th Frances and Robert Healy.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 card drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, December 10, at 9pm, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Mary O`Hara and Colm Gallagher, 2nd Mary Costello and James Cafferty. Raffle winner was Mary O’Hara, Veronica McCarrick, and James Cafferty.
Tonights game, Tuesday, December 17, will be a Monster Christmas Game with prizes of a ham and turkey kindly sponsored by Yeats County Inn proprietor Michael O’Hara.
The Charlestown Sarsfields Ladies Club are hoping to enter a second adult team into the Mayo Ladies Junior League for 2025. The club are already competing with distinction at the top tier of the senior club football in Mayo with the senior ladies competing in the senior championship and the top division of the league and are more than holding their own as they continue to build year on year and put it up to the heavyweights in the senior championship. The executive feel they have enough players to run two teams for 2025 hence the idea has been mooted to enter a junior team to cater for the large number of adult/underage players on their role so to speak. The call is going out to all players who may have an interest in competing at junior league and championship level with all expressions of interest very much welcomed as the club decide whether the numbers are there to run two teams. They are throwing it out there to all would be players with a link available on the Charlestown LGFA Facebook page which you can click to indicate interest or otherwise. The link is as follows : tinyurl.com/ctownjunior.
A very unique calendar of special images from The Butterfly Garden, Swinford, honouring all the little babies who couldn’t stay has been launched. Calendars are €10 each (postage extra) with all proceeds going to the Butterfly Garden Maintenance Fund. To order, call or text Anita on 087 9794338.
Marriage Counselling Rooms are now available at Convent Road, Ballaghaderreen and at Moneen, Castlebar. Enquiries to office in Castlebar 087 9972503.
The East Mayo Athletic Club AGM will take place on Friday, January 10, in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown at 7pm. All members, coaches and the community at large or anyone interested in becoming involved with the club are welcome to attend.
East Mayo Athletics Club and East Mayo Special Olympics present Lip Sync Battles Ireland on Saturday, March 29, in the Park House Hotel, Kiltimagh, at 8pm. This promises to be a cracking night of fun, music, laughter and entertainment with both organisations very keen to make it a night to savour for all connected and involved. More news in the coming weeks but save the date and make sure you clear your diaries for what should be a cracking night of jollity and hilarity and one not to be missed under any circumstances.
The Cloonacool Players are back in action and are all set for February with the hilarious comedy ‘Moll’ by John B Keane, directed by Brid Calvey and starring the ever popular Mary Kathleen Johnson, Dennis Ross and Martin McIntyre. Not to be missed – so highlight February on your calendar.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €4200 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, December 9, and the four numbers drawn ; 1, 2, 18 and 21. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes : Sharon O’Donnell, Eoin Feeley, and James, Luke and Phoebe Devins.
Next week’s jackpot will increase to €4,300 and the draw will take place on Monday night, December 16. Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the Club’s Facebook and Twitter pages respectively.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, December 8, as Podsie and The Duke battled it out in a pre-Christmas cracker in another cracking instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was imperious as always in his role as match referee as he ensured law and order prevailed seamlessly. This was a pulsating contest from first arrow to last as the old rivals slugged it out like two heavyweight boxers with both having their spells of dominance in a game that enthralled and entertained like no other.
Podsie began well taking the opening set with some big scoring and crisp finishing. The Duke, however, found his range in set two and levelled matters with a twin blast of treble 20 and double 12 doing the trick nicely. He carried this form into set three and swept his way into a two sets to one lead with some more razor sharp finishing as Podsie struggled to get to the pitch of the game so to speak.
The Duke was a picture of concentration as he strode to the ochie to begin set four. He continued to rampage his way across the board as he bludgeoned the treble twenty bed with laser like precision as Podsie continued to misfire with the game slipping from his grasp as the Duke blazed his way into a two leg lead. The dye looked cast for Podsie but it’s always a foolish a past time to write off the great one as he roared back into contention winning the next two legs with some subliminal throwing. The game was balanced on a knife edge with the Duke needing one leg for victory while Podsie needed to win the deciding leg to take the game to a fifth set. It was all to play for as the Duke had the honour of the darts and he made a grand opening statement nailing 140 with his first three arrows. Podsie responded in kind with a ton but the Duke, sensing the time was now, banged in another 100 plus score to leave him with a sizeable lead with Podsie needing to respond big to stay in touch. He managed only a meagre 55 with his next three darts which paved the way for the Duke to grab control and this he duly did as he continued to fire in the numbers to leave him with six darts at double eighteen with Podsie stranded on a score in the high 180s. He needed only two arrows as his second nestled in the corner of the double eighteen bed to seal a marvellous victory, his eighth of the season, which set in train wild scenes of jubilation and ecstasy as both men shared a warm embrace with Podsie once again showing his class and respect in defeat. The Duke was delighted to step onto the winner’s rostrum as he prepares for the lucrative Christmas season at the Ally Pally with his game in terrific shape as he looks to add a few more titles to his burgeoning win
